ALBERTA BOILERS SAFETY ASSOCIATION 2026
EXAM PREPARATION PACK KEY PRESSURE
EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS INSPECTION AND
OPERATION STANDARDS WITH SAMPLE
QUESTIONS
◉ Common cause of OTSG tube failures. Answer: Oxygen pitting and
deposit-induced overheating (scale / iron deposits).
◉ Required steam quality for SAGD injection. Answer: Minimum 80
% (typically 90-95 %); 100 % required for most cyclic steam (CSS)
wells.
◉ Device that separates water from steam on an OTSG. Answer:
High-pressure separator vessel (internal or external).
◉ Mandatory low-water protection devices on OTSG. Answer: 1. Low
feedwater flow switch 2. Secondary low-flow or thermal dispersion
flow device (both must trip fuel).
◉ Reason traditional float cage LWCO is not used on OTSGs. Answer:
There is no steam drum or large water volume - it is a once-through
system.
, ◉ Daily tests required on Alberta Special Oilwell Boiler. Answer: 1.
Low-water cutoff(s) 2. Flame scanner 3. Safety valves (try-lever test)
4. Feedwater flow proving.
◉ Minimum number of safety relief valves on Special Oilwell Boiler.
Answer: Two full-flow safety valves (one set at MAWP, second ≤ 103
% of MAWP).
◉ Maximum allowable lift pressure differential between SRVs.
Answer: 3 % (or 20 psi, whichever is greater).
◉ Meaning of SSOV. Answer: Safety Shut-Off Valve (two required in
series on fuel train).
◉ Proof of tight shut-off of upstream SSOV. Answer: Vent valve
between the two SSOVs must show zero pressure rise during leak
test.
◉ Maximum flame failure response time allowed. Answer: 4 seconds
or less.
◉ Device that proves combustion air before light-off. Answer: Air
flow switch (differential pressure or sail type).
EXAM PREPARATION PACK KEY PRESSURE
EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS INSPECTION AND
OPERATION STANDARDS WITH SAMPLE
QUESTIONS
◉ Common cause of OTSG tube failures. Answer: Oxygen pitting and
deposit-induced overheating (scale / iron deposits).
◉ Required steam quality for SAGD injection. Answer: Minimum 80
% (typically 90-95 %); 100 % required for most cyclic steam (CSS)
wells.
◉ Device that separates water from steam on an OTSG. Answer:
High-pressure separator vessel (internal or external).
◉ Mandatory low-water protection devices on OTSG. Answer: 1. Low
feedwater flow switch 2. Secondary low-flow or thermal dispersion
flow device (both must trip fuel).
◉ Reason traditional float cage LWCO is not used on OTSGs. Answer:
There is no steam drum or large water volume - it is a once-through
system.
, ◉ Daily tests required on Alberta Special Oilwell Boiler. Answer: 1.
Low-water cutoff(s) 2. Flame scanner 3. Safety valves (try-lever test)
4. Feedwater flow proving.
◉ Minimum number of safety relief valves on Special Oilwell Boiler.
Answer: Two full-flow safety valves (one set at MAWP, second ≤ 103
% of MAWP).
◉ Maximum allowable lift pressure differential between SRVs.
Answer: 3 % (or 20 psi, whichever is greater).
◉ Meaning of SSOV. Answer: Safety Shut-Off Valve (two required in
series on fuel train).
◉ Proof of tight shut-off of upstream SSOV. Answer: Vent valve
between the two SSOVs must show zero pressure rise during leak
test.
◉ Maximum flame failure response time allowed. Answer: 4 seconds
or less.
◉ Device that proves combustion air before light-off. Answer: Air
flow switch (differential pressure or sail type).
